Storms & Perspective
My neighbor and I finally got around to throwing away what used to be the large bush that sat on our property line for several years. Alas, it was one more victim of the storm that battered Humboldt County at the end of last year.
On the day of the storm, my family and I piled into the car in search of something to eat. As we drove around town, we noticed the incredibly long line of cars (unlike anything since the seventies) waiting at gas stations. We observed the remants of broken fences, downed signs, and ruined landscapes.
Unable to find a suitable restaurant, we stopped at a grocery store, only to be greeted by long lines of people buying ice, batteries (if you could find them), wood, and bread. My first reaction (always trusting others before I trust myself) was, "What do they know that I don't?" Panic started to well up and could feel the fear start to grow.
"Why us?" I wondered. It's not fair to have to spend New Years in long gas lines and grocery store lines.
As soon as the thought crossed my mind, it occured to me that what we went through wasn't 1/10,000 as bad as what they're going through in Louisiana and Mississippi, after the Hurricaines. Fear changed to embarrassment. Embarrassment morphed to gratitude.
Put it in pespective; more times than not, we're doing OK. Pass it on.